Sequin feeder

ABSTRACT

Sequin feeding operation is performed by causing a feed lever ( 18 ) to move forward with a distal-end hook portion ( 18   a ) of the feed lever engaging a sequin center hole ( 3   a ) of a continuous sequin strip ( 3 ) let out from a reel ( 5 ) and then placed on the upper surface of a supporting plate ( 8 ), and the successive sequins can be fed one by one by repeating forward and rearward movement of the feed lever. Lock lever ( 33 ) having an engaging claw ( 33   a ) engageable with the sequin center hole is pivotably supported near the feed lever. When predetermined-pitch feeding, by the feed lever, of the continuous sequin strip has been completed, the engaging claw ( 33   a ) of the lock lever is caused to engage a center hole following the center hole engaged by the hook portion of the feed lever, to thereby immovably lock the continuous sequin strip.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sequin feeding apparatus for use in asewing machine which sews sequins onto a sewn-to member while severingthe sequins from a strip of continuously-connected sequins.

BACKGROUND ART

Example of the conventional sequin feeding apparatus for use in sewingmachines is known from German Utility Model Registration No. G9209764.2or U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,168 (German Patent No. DE19538084). In such asequin feeding apparatus, a strip of a multiplicity ofcontinuously-connected sequins (spangles) is played out or let out froma reel, having the continuous sequin strip wound thereon, to be placedon a supporting plate, and then the continuous sequin strip is fed out,through feeding operation of a suitable feed mechanism, at apredetermined pitch corresponding to the size of one sequin. One sequinis sewn onto a sewn-to member while being severed from the continuoussequin strip having been fed in interlocked relation to sewing operationby a needle bar of the sewing machine. With the above-discussedconventional sequin feeding apparatus, there has been a need to provide,on the supporting plate, an appropriate guide member for guiding thecontinuous sequin strip at a predetermined position so that the centerhole of the sequin is positioned in accurate alignment with the needlebar.

Japanese Patent Publication No. HEI-2-13495 or Japanese Patent No.2732869 discloses a mechanism for feeding a continuous sequin strip bymeans of a feed roller having a multiplicity of projection on it outerperiphery. In this case, when a change is to be made to the size of thesequin, the feed roller too has to be replaced with another onecorresponding to a new or changed-to sequin size; thus, there have to beprepared different feed rollers in correspondence with sequins ofvarious sizes.

With the former one of the above-discussed two types of conventionaltechniques, the guide member has to be provided, on the supportingplate, to appropriately guide the continuous sequin strip and must bereplaced in accordance with the size of the sequin, and the guide memberreplacing operation tends to be cumbersome. With the latter one of theconventional techniques too, different feed rollers have to be preparedin correspondence with sequins of various sizes, and the feed rollerreplacing operation tends to be cumbersome.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a sequin feeding apparatus which can feed out a continuoussequin strip on a supporting plate in a stable manner with a simplestructure.

The present invention provides a sequin feeding apparatus, whichcomprises: a feeding mechanism for feeding a continuous sequin strip,let out from a reel and then placed on an upper surface of a supportingplate, a predetermined pitch at a time through forward and rearwardmovement of a feed lever, the feeding mechanism feeding the continuoussequin strip by causing the feed lever to move forward with a distal-endhook portion of the feed lever engaging a center hole of a sequin; alock lever having, at a free end thereof, an engaging claw engageablewith the center hole of the sequin; and a lock lever drive mechanismpivotably supporting the lock lever near the feed lever, wherein, whenpredetermined-pitch feeding, by the feed lever, of the continuous sequinstrip has been completed, the lock lever drive mechanism causes theengaging claw of the lock lever to engage a center hole following thecenter hole engaged by the hook portion of the feed lever, to therebyimmovably lock the continuous sequin strip, and wherein, when the feedlever moves rearward and then moves forward to again feed the continuoussequin strip, the lock lever drive mechanism causes the engaging claw ofthe lock lever to be disengaged from the center hole by such a time whenthe hook portion of the feed lever engages a center hole of anothersequin to resume feeding movement of the continuous sequin strip.

At the time point when the sequin strip has been fed out one pitch, thehook portion of the feed lever is engaging the center hole of a sequinand the engaging craw of the feed lever is engaging the center hole ofanother sequin succeeding the one engaged by the hook portion of thefeed lever. In this way, the continuous sequin strip is appropriatelylocked in position at two separate positions along the length of thesequin strip. Thus, the continuous sequin strip on the supporting platecan be prevented from being displaced widthwise (laterally) during thefeeding operation. Such arrangements can eliminate the need forprovision of a sequin strip guide member on the supporting plate,thereby simplifying the construction of the apparatus. Further, becausethe continuous sequin strip is appropriately locked in position at twoseparate points along the length of the sequin strip, there can beachieved the benefit that, even when an unexpected tensile force acts onthe sequin before the sequin is severed after the sewing needle hasfitted in the center hole of the fed-out sequin, the continuous sequinstrip can be prevented from being undesirably pulled out; as aconsequence, the sequin can be cut in the connecting portion withoutfail, and thus, the sequin can be reliably prevented from being cut intoa distorted shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an embroideringmachine equipped with a sequin feeding apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing in enlarged scale a portion of a sequinsewing unit in the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing in further enlarged scale a portion of thesequin sewing unit in the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portion of the sequin feedingapparatus shown in FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing, in further enlarged scale and withparts taken away, principal sections of the sequin feeding apparatusshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partly-sectional side view and plan view showing theprincipal sections of the sequin feeding apparatus when one sequinfeeding cycle has been completed by a feed lever having moved to itsforwardmost position;

FIG. 7 is a partly-sectional side view and plan view showing theprincipal sections of the sequin feeding apparatus immediately after ahook portion of the feed lever has exited a center hole of a sequinduring rearward movement of the feed lever;

FIG. 8 is a partly-sectional side view and plan view showing theprincipal sections of the sequin feeding apparatus when the feed leverhas moved to a rearwardmost position;

FIG. 9 is a partly-sectional side view and plan view showing theprincipal sections of the sequin feeding apparatus at a time point whenthe hook portion of the feed lever has engaged a center hole of a sequinduring forward movement of the feed lever; and

FIG. 10 is a partly-sectional side view and plan view showing theprincipal sections of the sequin feeding apparatus at a time point whenan edge of a through-hole of the feed lever is just about to move awayfrom a lock lever.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a four-head embroidering machine equipped with four sewingmachine heads arranged in accordance with an embodiment of-the presentinvention. Needle bar cases 2 are provided in corresponding relation tothe sewing machine heads, and a throat plate 50 is disposed under theneedle bar of each of the machine head.

Sequin sewing unit 1 is attached to the left side and/or right side ofeach of the needle bar cases 2; in the instant embodiment, the sequinsewing unit 1 is attached to only the left side of the associated needlebar case 2. Each of the needle bar cases 2 is a multi-needle structure,and, in the case where the sequin sewing unit 1 is attached to only theleft side of the associated needle bar case 2 as in the instantembodiment, the leftmost needle in the needle bar case 2 is used as asequin sewing needle. As conventionally known in the art, an embroideryframe 51 is driven in left-and-right (X) and front-and-rear (Y)directions in accordance with sewing data.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing in enlarged scale a portion of the sequinsewing unit 1, FIG. 3 is a side view showing in further enlarged scale aportion of a sequin feeding apparatus 6 in the sequin sewing unit 1,FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portion of the sequin feedingapparatus 6, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing, in furtherenlarged scale and with parts taken away, principal sections of thesequin feeding apparatus 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sequin sewing unit 1 comprises a reel 5having a strip of continuously-connected sequins wound thereon andsupported on a mounting base 4, and the sequin feeding apparatus 6 alsosupported on the mounting base 4. The mounting base 4 is attached to theneedle bar case 2 via a not-shown link mechanism in such a manner thatit can ascend and descend relative to the needle bar case 2. In FIGS. 2and 3, the mounting base 4 is shown as being in a descended position andin a posture where sewing of sequins is permitted. On the other hand,when sewing of sequins is not to be performed, the mounting base 4 isevacuated to an ascended position so as not to hinder the normalembroidering operation. In the individual machine heads, the mountingbases 4 are driven to ascend or descend concurrently via not-shown aircylinders. Where the embroidering machine has just one machine head or asmaller number of the machine heads, the mounting base (or bases) 4 maybe caused to ascend or descend manually.

The reel 5 having the continuous sequin strip 3 wound thereon issupported rotatably and removably on an upper end portion of an armsection 4a formed on an upper portion of the mounting base 4. Thecontinuous sequin strip 3 is formed by die-cutting a synthetic resinfilm of a given width in such a manner that a multiplicity of circularsequins S are continuously connected via narrow connecting portions Si,and each of the sequins S has a hole 3a formed in advance in its center(see FIG. 4).

Next, an example structure of the sequin feeding apparatus 6 will beexplained in detail. The sequin feeding apparatus 6 is secured to asupport plate 7 that is in turn attached to a lower end portion of themounting base 4. The support plate 7 has a horizontal sequin supportingplate 8 formed on its lower end for supporting thereon sequins. Portionof the continuous sequin strip 3, paid out or let out from the reel 5,is directed downward along the mounting base 4 via a tension roller 45and orientation roller 46, led onto the supporting plate 8 by way of aguide section 12 provided on a rear surface of a bracket 11 and thendelivered rearward as viewed from the front of the embroidery machine.Note that, in the following description about the sequin sewing unit 1,the terms “forward” and “reward” are used to refer to directionsopposite to forward and rearward directions of the embroidery machine.Namely, the direction in which sequins are fed forward (i.e., in arearward direction from the front of the embroidery machine) willhereinafter referred to as “forward direction”.

As seen in section (a) of FIG. 6, the sequin supporting plate 8 has aslit 8 a formed therein to extend in the front-and-rear direction (Ydirection) from a front position to a middle position of the plate 8.The slit 8 a has a predetermined length and appropriate width..Adjusting the position, in the left-and-right direction (X direction),of the guide section 12 can properly position the center hole of eachpredetermined sequin 3 immediately over the slit 8 a. Namely, in thepresent invention, the guide section 12 provided on the rear surface ofthe bracket 11 is provided for properly registering the center hole 3 aof each predetermined sequin 3 of the continuous sequin strip 3 with theslit 8 a, but not for properly positioning the continuous sequin stripon the supporting plate 8. As will be later described, the slit 8 a ofthe sequin supporting plate 8 is provided to allow a distal-end hookportion 18 a and distal-end engaging claw 33 a of a feed lever 18 andlock lever 33 to pass through the center holes 3 a of the sequins on thesupporting plate 8 as the distal-end hook portion and engaging claw 18 aand 33 a engage with the center holes 3 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 or 4, a pivot shaft 15 is pivotally supportedon a middle portion of the support plate 7 with the axial centerline ofthe pivot shaft 15 extending in the left-and-right (X) direction. Pivotarm 16 is fixed via a screw 17 to the pivot shaft 15, and the feed lever18 having the distal-end hook portion 18 a is pivotably supported, via ashaft 19, on a free end portion of the pivot arm 16. Further, a followerlever 20 is fixed via a screw 21 to the pivot shaft 15 adjacent thepivot arm 16. Consequently, the follower lever 20 and pivot arm 16 areconnected together to provide a bellcrank-like structure.

Torsion spring 22 fitted around the pivot shaft 15 has one end securedto the support plate 7 and the other end held on the follower lever 20,via which the pivot arm 16 is normally biased in a counterclockwisedirection of FIG. 3. Further, a torsion spring 23 fitted around theshaft 19 has one end secured to the pivot art 16 and the other end heldon the feed lever 18, via which the feed lever 18 is normally biased ina clockwise direction so that the distal-end hook portion 18 a of thefeed lever 18 is normally biased toward the supporting plate 8.

The feed lever 18 functions to sequentially feed the continuous sequinstrip 3 in the forward direction, a predetermined pitch at a time, bybeing pivotally moved forward with the distal-end hook portion 18 aengaging the center hole 3 a of one sequin S of the strip 3 on thesupporting plate 8. As will be later detailed, the feed lever 18 ispivotally moved forward and rearward by pivotal movement of the pivotarm 16, so as to sequentially feed the continuous sequin strip 3 forwardat a predetermined pitch. The pivot arm 16 and mechanism for pivotingthe pivot arm 16 together constitute a feed mechanism for pivotallymoving the feed lever 18 forward and rearward. The follower lever 20integrally connected with the pivot arm 16 has a free end connected to afree end of a driving lever 38 via a connection link 37. The drivinglever 38 is fixedly connected to an output shaft 40 of a motor 36 thatis secured to a left side surface of the mounting base 4. By the motor36 driving the driving lever 38 to reciprocatively pivot through apredetermined angular range, the continuous sequin strip 3 can be fedforward in the predetermined manner.

The pivot art 16 normally biased in the counterclockwise direction isheld in a posture as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 by abutting againsta stopper 25 provided on the support plate 7. The illustrated posture istaken when the feeding of the continuous sequin strip 3 has beencompleted through one feeding cycle. Specifically, section (a) of FIG. 6is a partly-sectional side view showing in enlarged scale of relevantportions of the sequin feeding apparatus 6 having completed the feedingof the continuous sequin strip 3, and section (b) of FIG. 6 is aschematic top plan view of the sequin feeding apparatus 6 havingcompleted the feeding of the continuous sequin strip 3. Namely, when thefeeding of the continuous sequin strip 3 has been completed, the hookportion 18 a of the feeding lever 18 engages the center hole 3 a of thesecond sequin S from the leading sequin of the continuous sequin strip3, and the connecting portion S1 between the leading and second sequinsS is positioned immediately above a fixed cutter blade 8 b provided on afront end edge of the supporting plate 8.

The stopper 25 is in the form of a threaded rod screwed to a bracket 26secured to the support plate 7, and the pivot arm 16 abuts against therear end of the stopper 25. The threaded rod can be locked by screwingup of a nut.

Movable cutter blade 27 is pivotably supported via a pin 28 on a lowerend portion of the support plate 7 and is normally held, via a torsionspring 30, in a retracted or evacuated position spaced upward from thefixed cutter blade 8 b. As a needle bar 31 descends, the movable cutterblade 27 is pressed by a needle clamp 32 at the lower end of the needlebar 31. By being thus pressed by the needle clamp 32, the movable cutterblade 27 pivots downward, against the resilient force of the torsionspring 30, to cut the connecting portion S1 in conjunction with thefixed cutter blade 8 b. As the needle clamp 32 ascends along with theneedle bar 31, the movable cutter blade 27 returns to the retractedposition by the resilient force of the torsion spring 30.

The above-mentioned guide section 12 for directing the continuous sequinstrip 3 onto the supporting plate 8 is replaceable with another onedepending on the width of the desired continuous sequin strip 3. Theguide section 12 comprises two guide members 12 a, each of which may bemade by bending a plate into a channel-like sectional shape. Distancebetween opposed side walls of each of the guide members 12 a is setslightly greater than the width of each sequin S. Holding member 44 isdisposed in front of the bracket 11 having the guide section 12 attachedthereto. The holding member 44 is in the form of a resilient plate, suchas a spring steel plate, which has a width equal to or slightly greaterthan the width of the sequin S and has a predetermined length. Theholding member 44 has one end portion secured to the bracket 11 andanother end portion resiliently abutted against the upper surface of thesupporting plate 8. The holding member 44 is recessed in its end edgeportion corresponding in position to the slit 8 a, so as not to closethe slit 8 a (see FIG. 5). The continuous sequin strip 3, delivered fromthe guide section 12, is passed between the supporting plate 8 and theholding member 44 resiliently abutted against the upper surface of thesupporting plate 8.

Next, a description will be given about the lock lever 33 disposed abovethe feed lever 18 and a mechanism for driving the lock lever 33.

As seen in FIG. 5, the lock lever 33 has the engaging claw 33 a at thetip of its one end portion and a stopper portion 33 b at its other endportion. The lock lever 33 is pivotably supported at its middle portionby a support block 35 via a pin 39, and the support block 35 is fixed tothe support plate 7. In FIG. 5, a front portion of the support block 35is taken away so that the lock lever 33 is visible more easily. Theengaging claw 33 a of the lock lever 33 extends through a through-hole18 b formed in the feed lever 18. Torsion spring (not shown) is providedon the pin 39 on the support block 35, and the lock lever 33 is normallybiased, by that torsion spring, against the support block 35 in acounterclockwise direction of the figure. With the stopper portion 33 bof the thus-biased lock lever 33 abutting against a stopper portion 35 aof the support block 35, the lock lever 33 in its free state is held ina posture or position where an end edge of the stopper portion 33 b islocated within the slit 8 a of the supporting plate 8. In this state,the engaging claw 33 a of the lock lever 33 engages the center hole 3 aof the sequin S on the supporting plate 8, as illustrated in (b) of FIG.6, to thereby lock the continuous sequin strip 3 against furthermovement. On the other hand, an edge of the through-hole 18 b in thefeed lever 18 abuts against the lock lever 33, during retractingmovement of the feed lever 8, to pivot the lock lever 33 in theclockwise direction against the counterclockwise biasing force of thetorsion spring acting on the lock lever 33, as will be later described.In this way, the engaging claw 33 a is pivoted upwardly to disengage thecenter hole 3 a of the sequin S.

The support block 35 supporting the lock lever 33 is adjustable in itsposition, in the front-and-rear direction (feeding direction of thecontinuous sequin strip 3 on the supporting plate 8), relative to thesupport plate 7. Thus, the position at which the engaging claw 33 a ofthe lock lever 33 engages the center hole 3 a of the sequin S can beadjusted in accordance with the size of the sequin S. Note that thesupport plate 7 too is adjustable in its position, in the front-and-reardirection (feeding direction of the continuous sequin strip 3 on thesupporting plate 8), relative to the mounting base 4.

In the embodiment of the embroidery machine, the needle bar case 2 ofeach of the machine head is provided with nine needles 31, and thesequin sewing unit 1 is attached to the left side of each of the needlebar cases 2 as noted above. In executing the sequin sewing operation,the sequin sewing unit 1 descends to take an operating state, inresponse to selection of the leftmost needle bar 31, to execute sequinsewing in conjunction with the needle bar 31.

The following paragraphs describe the sequin feeding operation inaccordance with the embodiment of the present invention, with referenceto FIGS. 6-10.

FIG. 6 shows a state when one sequin feeding operation cycle has beencompleted. As noted above, one sequin S is projecting forward from thesupporting plate 8, and the connecting portion S1 of the one sequin isin alignment with the edge of the cutter blade 8 b. As also notedearlier, the hook portion 18 a of the feed lever 18 is in engagementwith the center hole 3 a of the next sequin S, and the engaging claw 33a of the lock lever 33 is in engagement with the center hole 3 a of thesecond sequin S from the sequin S engaged by the hook portion 18 a.

The machine behaves as follows by virtue of operation of the needle bar31 descending under such conditions.

First, the sewing needle 41 at the lower end of the needle bar 31 fitsinto the center hole 3 a of the leading sequin S. Then, the needle clamp32 abuts against and depresses the movable cutter blade 27. Thus, theconnecting portion S1 of the sequin S is cut by the blade 27, so thatthe leading sequin S is cut off. Thus, the one sequin S thus cut offfalls onto a to-be-embroidered cloth W (FIG. 3) with the sewing needle41 still kept fit in the center hole 3 a, after which the sequin S issewn onto the cloth W through controlled movement of the embroideryframe holding the to-be-embroidered cloth W and vertical movement of theneedle bar.

Then, the pivot arm 16 is pivoted in the clockwise direction via themotor 36, so that the feed lever 18 moves backward as seen in FIGS. 7and 8. FIG. 7 shows the feed lever 18 immediately after the hook portion18 a has exited from the center hole 3a; more specifically, section (a)of FIG. 7 is a partly-sectional side view of the feed lever 18, andsection (b) of FIG. 7 is a schematic top plan view of the feed lever 18.Because the engaging claw 33 a of the lock lever 33 is still kept inengagement with the center hole 3 a when the hook portion 18 a exitsfrom the center hole 3 a, the continuous sequin strip 3 can be reliablyprevented from being undesirably displaced as the hook portion 18 a ofthe feed lever 18 exits from the center hole 3 a. Further, in the stateillustrated in FIG. 7, the edge of the through-hole 18 b of the feedlever 18 abuts against the lock lever 33. As the feed lever 18 retractsfurther, the lock lever 33 pivots in the clockwise direction, againstthe biasing force of the torsion spring, through the engagement with theedge of the through-hole 18 b of the feed lever 18, so that the engagingclaw 33 a of the lock lever 33 moves upward away from the sequin S; inthis way, the center hole 3 a of the sequin S is disengaged from theengaging claw 33 a.

FIG. 8 shows the lever 18 having retracted to its rearwardmost position;more specifically, section (a) of FIG. 8 is a partly-sectional side viewof the lever 18, and section (b) of FIG. 8 is a top plan view of thelever 18. Immediately before the state of FIG. 8 is reached, the hookportion 18 a of the feed lever 18 temporarily fits into the center hole3 a of the sequin S and then exits from the center hole 3 a; after that,the feed lever 18 assumes the state of FIG. 8. Note that, the continuoussequin strip 3, having been disengaged from the engaging claw 33 a ofthe lock lever 33, is prevented from retracting together with theretracting feed lever 18 during a transitional period from the state ofFIG. 7 to the state of FIG. 8; this is owing to the springy resilientforce of the holding member 44.

After that, the pivot lever 16 is driven, by the reverse rotation of themotor 36, to pivot in the counterclockwise direction, so that the feedlever 18 moves forward to the position shown in FIG. 6. FIGS. 9 and 10shows a state of the feed lever 18 during such forward movement. FIG. 9shows the lever 18 at a time point when the hook portion 18 a hasengaged the center hole 3 a of the sequin S through the forward movementof the feed lever 18; more specifically, section (a) of FIG. 9 is apartly-sectional side view of the lever 18, and section (b) of FIG. 9 isa plan view of the lever 18. As the feed lever 18 moves forward afterthat time point, the continuous sequin strip 3 is fed through forwardmovement of the hook portion 18 a engaging the center hole 3 a. FIG. 10shows the lock lever 18 at a point when the edge of the through-hole 18b of the advancing feed lever 18 moves away from the lock lever 33; morespecifically, section (a) of FIG. 10 is a partly-sectional side view ofthe lever 18, and section (b) of FIG. 10 is a plan view of the lever 18.Having been disengaged from the edge of the through-hole 18 b of thefeed lever 18, the lock lever 33 is caused to pivot in thecounterclockwise direction by the resilient force of the torsion springprovided on the pin 39. FIG. 10 shows the engaging claw 33 a of the locklever 33 having been thus brought into resilient contact with the uppersurface of the sequin S. While the feed lever 18 is advancing further,the engaging claw 33 a of the lock lever 33 slides on and relative tothe upper surface of the sequin S. Once the feed lever 18 has reachedthe feed completion position as shown in FIG. 6, the engaging claw 33 aof the lock lever 33 engages the center hole 3 a of the sequin S.

When the motor 36 is in the non-energized or OFF state, such as when thepower supply to the embroidering machine is OFF, the pivot lever 16 isheld in the feed completion position shown in FIG. 6, by virtue of theresilient force of the torsion spring 22 on the pivot lever 16, so thatthe lever 16 is held in abutment against the stopper 25. The motor 36 isa pulse motor that operates under open control, so that it will loseappropriate synchronization if an excessive force acts on the motor 36during the feed control. For that reason, the motor 36 in the embodimentis temporarily deenergized when the feed lever 18 has reached theforwardmost position, i.e. when the pivot lever 16 has abutted againstthe stopper 25 upon completion of the feeding cycle. Thus, the motor 36can be restored to the zero point without fail even when it has lostsynchronization; in this way, it is possible to prevent accumulation ofpositional displacement caused by the synchronization loss.

Finally, the following paragraphs describe an example manner in whichthe various components are adjusted when the reel 5 has been replacedwith another one so that the sequins S to be sewn onto the cloth arechanged to those of a different size. The adjustments of the components,as set forth in items (1)-(4) below, may be performed concurrently, orin any appropriate order.

(1) Adjustment of Feed Pitch:

In order to adjust the feed pitch, the screw 17 fastening the pivotlever 16 is loosened (see FIGS. 3 and 4) so that the pivot lever 16 canbe readily turned with a hand relative to the pivot shaft 15. Further,the stopper 25 is unlocked, and the continuous sequin strip 3 is playedout from the reel onto the supporting plate 8 so that the leading sequinS of the strip 3 projects beyond the front end edge of the supportingplate 8 as in the “feed completion position” as shown in (b) of FIG. 6.Then, the pivot lever 16 and feed lever 18 are moved with a hand tocause the hook portion 18a of the feed lever 18 to engage the centerhole 3 a of the second sequin S from the leading sequin S. Then, thestopper 25 is again locked and the screw 17 is tightened with the feedmechanism, including the pivot lever 16 and feed lever 18, adjusted intothe “feed completion position” in accordance with the size of thesequins S.

(2) Adjustment of Lock Lever:

To adjust the lock lever 33, the support block 35 is unlocked. Position,in the front-and-rear direction, of the support block 35 is adjustedmanually to adjust the inclination of the lock lever 33 so that theengaging claw 33 a of the lock lever 33 engages the center hole 3 a ofthe predetermined sequin S (i.e., second sequin S from the sequin S ofwhich the center hole 3 a has been engaged by the hook portion 18 a ofthe feed lever 18) with the stopper portion 33 b at the upper end of thelock lever 33 abutted against the stopper portion 35 a of the supportblock 35, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Then, the support block 35 is againlocked with the lock lever 33 positionally adjusted so that the engagingclaw 33 a of the lock lever 33 engages the center hole 3 a of thepredetermined sequin S as indicated by the “feed completion position” ofFIG. 6(b).

(3) Positional Adjustment of Sequin Center Hole Relative to SewingNeedle Position:

Positional adjustment between the sewing needle 41 and the center hole 3a of the sequin S is performed by adjusting the position of the supportplate 7 relative to the mounting base 4. Because the support plate 7 ismounted on the mounting base 4 via the forward/rearward guide members, alock (not shown) provided in connection with the guide members is firstbrought into an unlocking position, so as to allow the support plate 7to be manually moved in the front-and-rear direction relative to themounting base 4. Then, the support plate 7 is adjusted so that thecenter of the center hole 3 a of the sequin S, having been deliveredfrom the supporting plate 8 to a position where the connecting portionS1 aligns with the edge of the cutter blade 8 b, aligns with the centerof the sewing needle 41. Upon completion of the adjustment, the supportplate 7 is locked and fixed to the mounting base 4.

(4) Replacement of Guide Section:

As necessary, the guide section 12, mounted on the bracket 11, may bereplaced with another one that corresponds to the width of the sequinsof a continuous sequin strip newly set on the apparatus in place of theprevious sequin strip.

In the above-described embodiment, the motor 36 is disposed in an upperarea of the apparatus and the pivot lever 16 is driven by the motor 36via the link mechanism. In an alternative, the pivot lever 16 may bedriven directly by the output shaft 40 of the motor 36. Namely, in thealternative, the pivot shaft 15 and follower lever 20 are dispensedwith, the motor 36 is fixed to the support plate 7, and the pivot lever16 is secured to the output shaft 40 of the motor 36.

Furthermore, whereas the above-described embodiment is arranged in sucha manner that, during the rearward movement of the feed lever 18, thelocking by the lock lever 33 is cancelled after the timing of FIG. 7.However, the present invention is not so limited, and it is onlynecessary that the locking by the lock lever 33 be cancelled at leastbefore the timing of FIG. 8 (i.e., before the feed lever 18 resumes itsforward movement). In the case where arrangements are made such that thelock lever 33 is kept in the locking position until the timing of FIG. 8(i.e., until the feed lever 18 resumes its forward movement), theseparate holding member 44 may be dispensed with.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the lock lever 33 ispivoted in the counterclockwise direction by the biasing force of thetorsion spring provided on the pin 39 of the support block 36 andpivoted in the clockwise direction by the engagement between the edge ofthe through-hole 18 b of the retracting feed lever 18 and the lock lever33. However, the present invention is not so limited, and any othersuitable arrangements may be employed. For example, the spring employedas the biasing means may be other than the torsion spring, and thebiasing means may include an electric or electronic or mechanical drivemeans other than the spring.

According to the described embodiment, the engaging claw 33 a of thelock lever 33 engages the center hole 3 a of the sequin S at a timepoint when the feeding-out of the leading sequin has been completed.Thus, even when an unexpected tensile force acts on the sequin S beforethe sequin S is severed after the sewing needle 41 has fitted in thecenter hole 3 a of the fed-out sequin S, the continuous sequin strip 3can be prevented from being undesirably pulled out; as a consequence,the sequin S can be cut in the connecting portion S1 without fail, andthus, the sequin S is reliably prevented from being cut into a distortedshape.

Further, at the time point when the feeding-out of the leading sequinhas been completed, the hook portion 18 a of the feed lever 18 and theengaging claw 33 a of the lock lever 33 both engage the center holes 3 aof the predetermined sequins S, so that the continuous sequin strip 3can be positionally regulated at separate points thereof in itslongitudinal direction (i.e., feeing direction). As a consequence, thesequin S can be positionally adjusted in its widthwise direction atleast upon completion of each sequin feeding cycle. Therefore, there isno need to provide a particular guide member on the supporting plate 8for positionally regulating the continuous sequin strip 3.

According to the present invention, as set forth above, the engagingclaw of the lock lever engages a sequin center hole following a sequincenter hole engaged by the hook portion of the feed lever, to therebyimmovably lock the continuous sequin strip in such a manner that thecontinuous sequin strip can be locked in position at two separate pointsin its longitudinal direction. With such arrangements, the presentinvention achieves the superior benefits that the continuous sequinstrip can be reliably positioned on the supporting plate with a simpleconstruction. Further, because the continuous sequin strip can be lockedin position at two separate points in its longitudinal direction, therecan be achieved another superior benefit that, even when an unexpectedtensile force acts on the sequin before the sequin is severed after thesewing needle has fitted in the center hole of the fed-out sequin, thecontinuous sequin strip can be prevented from being undesirably pulledout; as a consequence, the sequin can be cut in the connecting portionwithout fail, and thus, the sequin is reliably prevented from being cutinto a distorted shape.

1. A sequin feeding apparatus comprising: a feeding mechanism forfeeding a continuous sequin strip, let out from a reel and then placedon an upper surface of a supporting plate, a predetermined pitch at atime through forward and rearward movement of a feed lever, said feedingmechanism feeding the continuous sequin strip by causing said feed leverto move forward with a distal-end hook portion of said feed leverengaging a center hole of a sequin; a lock lever having an engaging clawengageable with a center hole of a sequin; and a lock lever drivemechanism pivotably supporting said lock lever near said feed lever,wherein, when predetermined-pitch feeding, by said feed lever, of thecontinuous sequin strip has been completed, said lock lever drivemechanism causes the engaging claw of said lock lever to engage a holeof another sequin of the continuous sequin strip than the sequin engagedby the hook portion of said feed lever, to thereby immovably lock thecontinuous sequin strip, and when said feed lever should then resume thepredetermined-pitch feeding said lock lever drive mechanism causes theengaging claw of said lock lever to be disengaged from the hole, so asto permit movement of the continuous sequin strip.
 2. A sequin feedingapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lock lever drive mechanismincludes means for normally biasing said lock lever so that the engagingclaw resiliently contacts an upper surface of a sequin on the supportingplate, and wherein disengagement of the engaging claw of said lock levelfrom the hole of the sequin is carried out by said feed lever engagingwith said lock lever to move the engaging claw, against a biasing forceof said biasing means, as said feed lever moves rearward.
 3. A sequinfeeding apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said feeding mechanismsupports said feed lever pivotably relative to a pivot arm that isdriven to pivot by a motor, and said feed lever is normally biased in adirection where the distal-end hook portion resiliently contacts anupper surface of a sequin on the supporting plate.
 4. A sequin feedingapparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said feed lever is normallybiased by a spring in a feeding direction thereof, and an output shaftof the motor is placed in a freely-rotatable state after completion of afeeding cycle.
 5. A sequin feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 3wherein said pivot arm is driven via a link member coupled to an outputshaft of the motor.
 6. A sequin feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 2wherein said feeding mechanism supports said feed lever pivotablyrelative to a pivot arm that is driven to pivot by a motor, and saidfeed lever is normally biased in a direction where the distal-end hookportion resiliently contacts an upper surface of a sequin on thesupporting plate.
 7. A sequin feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 6wherein said feed lever is normally biased by a spring in a feedingdirection thereof, and an output shaft of said motor is placed in afreely-rotatable state upon completion of a feeding operation cycle. 8.A sequin feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pivot armis driven via a link member coupled to an output shaft of the motor.